East Lyme traffic stop ends with drug, weapons charges

East Lyme — Police say a traffic stop last month led to drug and weapons charges.

Police say they stopped a vehicle on Dec. 23 on Flanders Road driven by Evan C. Punsalan, 19, of 15 Oswegatchie Hills Road, Niantic, for failure to dim his headlights for oncoming traffic.

According to the police report, an odor of marijuana was detected by the officer on the scene. Police canine Jimo was brought in to search the car, and found four marijuana pipes and a small bag of marijuana.

Police charged Punsalan with traffic violations and possession of less than half an ounce of marijuana.

Police said they also found a pair of brass knuckles in a jacket worn by a passenger in the vehicle, Blake M. Winkler, 20, of 38 Roxbury Road, Niantic. Winkler was charged with the carrying and sale of dangerous weapons and possession of marijuana.